The realization struck me as I put my sweet three-year-old son to bed one evening. While attempting to stall his own adventure into the realm of dreams, he rolled over and asked innocently, “Mama, why are you so warm?

I replied naturally, “Because I am alive.”

Yes. Because I am alive. This satiated his curiosity while igniting a stream of connection in my own mind. As humans, we are self-generating vehicles of energy. We have functions that serve one another on a macro, micro, and quantum level. Every action leads to an equal and opposite reaction. These are basic scientific ideas that can expand the mind when metaphorically examined.

The heat which we carry and so efficiently generate displays how we clearly carry fragments of solar energy within our bodies. When we create a child, we provoke a new fire that was first given possibility by the great star of our solar system, the Sun. What an honor it is to retain pieces of such a majestic entity of existence – the heat of the great Sun. It is clear why ancient cultures once (and still) worship the Sun as the provider of life. Both life-giving and seemingly on the verge of domineering, the Sun is what allows our vegetables to grow and our planet to stay within an orbit of perfection.

Yet, as with many things, people have become less connected with our beautiful Sun. People lather chemical-based sunblock on the delicate skin of their babies, in fear of disease resulting from overexposure. We have been told that the rays of the Sun are too damaging for our skin and eyes, causing us to hide behind hats and shades and chemical creams.

Rather than living in fear, wiser interactions with the blessed light of the sun are ideal. Finding shade when necessary, keeping the skin moisturized and protected with natural oils, and a proper nutrient balance allows a person to have more resistance to burns and healthy cell production. There is so much that can be done when a person is mindful about having a healthy and intelligent relationship with the Sun.

Loving the Sun does not necessarily mean taking a nap in the sunlight on a 90-degree day or forcing oneself to stare directly at the Sun at high noon. Having love for this master of energy means taking time to give thanks for that which warms and feeds, and to feel the love that is the potential for life in every single moment. Spirituality is not essential in this practice – just an allowance for profound reverence of the intelligent design that keeps the rhythm of the planet in motion.

We are blessed to exist in such an amazing ecosystem that is filled with wondrous miracles that human consciousness has only barely begun to understand. We are Children of the Sun, and every time a person senses the heat of being alive flowing through the body, this must be remembered.

You may have heard a story from a good friend who received a traditional cupping treatment while traveling in China, or perhaps you recall when Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was questioned about the mysterious circles that decorated his shoulders. Cupping therapy often strikes curiosity as its popularity increases in the Western world. So, what is cupping and who can benefit from this type of treatment?

Healing by the use of cups has origins in ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Europe. Traditionally, glass cups are placed upon the body using heat, which creates a suction mechanism. The cups remain on the body for a varied amount of time depending on the need and comfort of the recipient. Because of the suction, the skin is pulled away from the underlying muscle, which stretches the layer of fascia in between. Fascia is essentially a dense web that connects our soft tissue structures in the body – such as skin, muscles, and organs. Muscular tension causes the fascial layer to become constricted, which prevents proper movement and repair of damaged tissues. The cups allow for blood and lymphatic fluid to be rushed to specific areas of the body, especially in areas of pain or injury. Blood circulation increases, which creates an all-over rejuvenation of the body system.

The circles that remain after cupping are not defined as bruises, but rather painless broken capillaries which are a result of the suction. The broken capillaries stimulate the activation of phagocytes – the mechanism in the body that diminishes unhealthy and dead cells. Areas that are especially dark often indicate a problematic area and a need for more focus in that specific region of the body, which allows for a comprehensive treatment regimen as the indications of the body are studied by the practitioner.

Imagine an injury – either old or new – finally experiencing relief from daily stress or pain. Especially when paired with massage, cupping therapy can be useful in relieving tension headaches, myofascial pain syndrome, neuralgia, muscle strain, muscle weakness, chronic pain, joint pain and stiffness, and many other conditions of the body. After initial healing has occurred, cupping can be used near surgery sites to prevent scar tissue, allowing the surrounding muscles to relax and heal. Gentle realignment of the skeletal system can occur as the cups assist in relaxing the surrounding muscles, which often relieves discomfort. Cupping therapy is in the process of being scientifically studied to understand more deeply how the treatment method assists the body in structural repair.

Over time, multiple forms of cupping treatments have been developed. Silicone cups are an ideal option for beginners to become accustomed to the sensation of cupping, and are very useful in conjunction with detoxification because they can stimulate the release of fluids and toxins which are trapped in the tissues. Individuals who are quitting a smoking habit or undergoing a dietary transition may find relief in allowing years of built up toxins to be released from the body. Glass cupping can be practiced either with fire to create heat, or with a manual suction pump that pulls the air out of the cup once it is placed upon the body. Talking with a practitioner about the available methods and safety factors can be helpful to optimize the benefit of the recipient.

Finding a well educated and licensed massage therapist who has been trained in cupping therapy is essential for a safe and effective treatment. In-home treatment sessions are ideal for cupping, because traveling to and from a clinic can be problematic if the treatment creates a need for rest or a rush of energy within the body as the structural and energetic systems begin to realign. Treatments within the home of the recipient allow the individual to stay within their own comfort zone to stretch or simply take a nap following a cupping session. A feeling of comfort and safety encourages the positive psychological response to massage and cupping, which stimulates physical healing. The body is one's most permanent possession on this planet, and caring for the body is an essential part of life. Many view healing as a luxury, when in reality it is a necessity. Finding a modality that resonates with the body is a gateway to discover true healing, and experiencing the ancient tradition of cupping could reveal a new world – unbound to pain!